Set-top box with enhanced controls

ABSTRACT

A set-top box with enhanced content and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wireless transceiver is located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a television input, television output, a processor, and memory. The set-top box may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. Content, such music, for example, may be imported from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device and provided to the television. While the music is playing, the set-top box may generate and provide to the television a control signal that includes instructions to adjust the brightness of the television by dimming the television.

PRIORITY STATEMENT & CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Application Ser. No.62/287,749, entitled “Set-Top Box with Enhanced Controls” and filed onJan. 27, 2016, in the names of Vanessa Ogle and Edward H. Wolfe. Thisapplication is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.15/162,823 filed on May 24, 2016, entitled Set Top/Back Box, System andMethod for Providing a Remote Control Device”; which is a continuationof U.S. application Ser. No. 14/876,571, entitled “Set Top/Back Box,System and Method for Providing a Remote Control Device” and filed onOct. 6, 2015, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al. and issued on May 24,2016 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,029; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/525,392 entitled “Set Top/Back Box, System andMethod for Providing a Remote Control Device” and filed on Oct. 28,2014, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,154,825 on Oct. 6, 2015; U.S.application Ser. No. 14/177,876, entitled “Set Top/Back Box, System andMethod for Providing a Remote Control Device” and filed on Feb. 11,2014, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al. and issued on Oct. 28, 2014 asU.S. Pat. No. 8,875,195; which is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 13/528,663 entitled “Set Top/Back Box, System And Method ForProviding A Remote Control Device” and filed on Jun. 20, 2012, in thenames of Vanessa Ogle, et al., and issued on Feb. 11, 2014, as U.S. Pat.No. 8,650,600; which claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No.61/498,734, entitled “Set Top/Back Box, System and Method for Providinga Remote Control Device” and filed on Jun. 20, 2011, in the names ofVanessa Ogle et al.; all of which are hereby incorporated by referencefor all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to set-top boxes and, in particular,to set-top boxes with enhanced content and control, and systems andmethods for use of the same that address and enhance the content andcontrol typically received from an external signal source and providedto a television.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the background willbe described in relation to televisions in the hospitality lodgingindustry, as an example. To many individuals, a television is more thanjust a display screen, rather it is a doorway to the world, both realand imaginary, and a way to experience new possibilities anddiscoveries. Consumers are demanding enhanced content in an easy-to-useplatform. As a result of such consumer preferences, the quality ofcontent and ease-of-use are frequent differentiators in determining theexperience of guests staying in hospitality lodging establishments.Accordingly, there is a need for improved systems and methods forproviding enhanced content in an easy-to-use platform in the hospitalitylodging industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve a set-top box that would improveupon existing limitations in functionality. It would also be desirableto enable a computer-based electronics and software solution that wouldprovide enhanced content and control in an easy-to-use platform in thehospitality lodging industry or in another environment. To betteraddress one or more of these concerns, a set-top box with enhancedcontent and control and systems and methods for use of the same aredisclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, a wireless transceiveris located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes atelevision input, television output, a processor, and memory.

The set-top box may establish a pairing with a proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display.Content, such as music, for example, may be imported from the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device and provided to thetelevision. While the music is playing, the set-top box may generate andprovide to the television a control signal that includes instructions toadjust the brightness of the television by dimming the television. Theseand other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidatedwith reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures in which correspondingnumerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a system forproviding a set-top box having enhanced content thereon according to theteachings presented herein;

FIG. 2A is a wall-facing exterior elevation view of one embodiment ofthe set-top box depicted in FIG. 1 in further detail;

FIG. 2B is a television-facing exterior elevation view of the set-topbox depicted in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a front perspective view of a dongle depicted in FIG. 1 infurther detail;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of theset-top box presented in FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram depicting a brightness menu providedby the set-top box of FIG. 3 as an example of the present disclosure andteachings presented herein;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of theset-top box of FIG. 3 interacting with a television as an example of thepresent disclosure and teachings presented herein; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method forproviding a set-top box having enhanced content and control according tothe teachings presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, whichcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, therein is depicted one embodiment of asystem 10 utilizing a set-top box 12 with enhanced content and controlcapabilities being employed within a hospitality lodging establishment.The hospitality lodging establishment or, more generally, hospitalityproperty, may be a furnished multi-family residence, dormitory, lodgingestablishment, hotel, hospital, or other multi-unit environment. Asshown, by way of example and not by way of limitation, the hospitalityenvironment is depicted as the hotel H having various rooms, includingroom R and back of the house operations O. The set-top box 12 iscommunicatively disposed with various amenities associated with thehospitality environment or hotel H, including a television 14. Set-topboxes, like the set-top box 12, may be deployed throughout the rooms Rof the hotel H and are in communication with a property server 16, whichis co-located at the hotel H.

As shown, in one embodiment, within the room R, the system 10 includesthe set-top box 12 and a display illustrated as the television 14 havinga screen 18. A connection, which is depicted as an HDMI connection 20,connects the set-top box 12 to the television 14. Other connectionsinclude a power cable 22 coupling the set-top box 12 to a power source,a coaxial cable 24 coupling the set-top box 12 to an external cablesource, and a category five (Cat 5) cable 26 coupling the set-top box 12to an external pay-per-view source at a hotel or other lodgingestablishment, for example. As shown, the set-top box 12 may include adongle 30 providing particular technology and functionality extensionsthereto. That is, the set-top box 12 may be set-top box-donglecombination in one embodiment. More generally, it should be appreciatedthat the cabling connected to the set-top box 12 will depend on theenvironment and application and the cabling connections presented inFIG. 1 are depicted for illustrative purposes. Further, it shouldappreciated that the positioning of the set-top box 12 will varydepending on environment and application and, with certainfunctionality, the set-top box 12 may be placed more discretely behindthe television 14.

A proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32 may be awireless-enabled interactive handheld device that may be supplied orcarried by the guest and may be selected from a range of existingdevices, such as, for example iPads®, iPhones®, iPod Touch®, Android®devices, Blackberry® devices, personal computers, laptops, tabletcomputers, smart phones, and smart watches, for example. As will bediscussed in further detail below, in one implementation, an applicationinstalled from a server, such as the server 16, enables the set-top box12 and the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32to be wirelessly paired. In another embodiment, a challenge-response isutilized to wirelessly pair the set-top box 12 and the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32. A television remotecontrol 34 includes an array of buttons 36 for adjusting varioussettings such as television channel and volume. In one embodiment, thetelevision remote control 34 may be a consumer infrared (IR) or otherprotocol, such as Bluetooth, device configured as a small wirelesshandheld object that issues commands, as represented by wireless signalS, from a distance to the television 14 in order to control thetelevision 14.

In one implementation, as illustrated, the set-top box 12 extends aphysical authorization interface, shown as area A, from the set-top box12 to an area easily accessible to transitory guest's convenience suchas in front or side of the television 14. This physical authorizationinterface A may include a short range wireless data connection that isenabled only when very close physically to the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32, for example.Further, once the pairing is established, the set-top box 12 provides asecure wireless interface to communicate transitory guest user deviceauthorization information to the set-top box 12 to accomplishverification. Once authorization information is communicated to theset-top box 12, the set-top box 12 enables guest configuration andinteraction.

In operation, virtual remote control functionality may be provided bythe proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32 tosend, using wireless signaling W, a command signal to the television, toimport content from the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 32 to the television 14, or control an amenityassociated with a user's stay in a lodging establishment, for example.As shown in FIG. 1, by way of example, a “Sleep Well” mode, which isdirected to relaxing, is activated with music M being imported from theproximate wireless-enabled interactive device 32 and played on thetelevision 14. While the music M is playing, relaxing programing P isdisplayed on the television 14. The relaxing programming P may originatefrom the set-top box 12, the proximate wireless-enabled programmableinteractive device 32 or an outside source, for example. As part of the“Sleep Well” mode, the set-top box 12 may generate and provide to thetelevision 14 a control signal that includes instructions to adjust thebrightness of the television by dimming the television. With respect tometer 40, as indicated by arrow 42, the programming P is dimmed frombrightness B at the meter 40 to dimness D at the meter 40.

Referring to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, and FIG. 3, as used herein,set-top boxes, back boxes and set-top/back boxes may be discussed asset-top boxes. By way of example, the set-top box 12 may be a set-topunit that is an information appliance device that generally containsset-top box functionality including having a television-tuner input anddisplays output through a connection to a display or television set andan external source of signal, turning by way of tuning the source signalinto content in a form that can then be displayed on the televisionscreen or other display device. Such set-top boxes are used in cabletelevision, satellite television, and over-the-air television systems,for example.

The set-top box 12 includes a housing 50 having a rear wall 52, frontwall 54, top wall 56, bottom base 58, and two sidewalls 60, 62. Itshould be appreciated that front wall, rear wall, and side wall arerelative terms used for descriptive purposes and the orientation and thenomenclature of the walls may vary depending on application. The frontwall includes various ports, ports 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, and80 that provide interfaces for various interfaces, including inputs andoutputs. In one implementation, as illustrated, the ports 64 through 80include inputs 82 and outputs 84 and, more particularly, an RF input 86,a RJ-45 input 88, universal serial bus (USB) input/outputs 90, anEthernet category 5 (Cat 5) coupling 92, an internal reset 94, an RS232control 96, an audio out 98, an audio in 100, and a debug/maintenanceport 102. The front wall 54 also includes various inputs 82 and outputs84. More particularly, ports 110, 112, 114, and 116 include a 5V dcpower connection 120, USB inputs/outputs 122, an RJ-45 coupling 124, andan HDMI port 126. It should be appreciated that the configuration ofports may vary with the set-top box depending on application andcontext. As previously alluded to, the housing 50 may include ahousing-dongle combination including, with respect to the dongle 30, aunit 130 having a cable 134 with a set-top box connector 132 forselectively coupling with the set-top box 12.

Within the housing 50, a processor 140, memory 142, storage 144, theinputs 82, and the outputs 84 are interconnected by a bus architecture146 within a mounting architecture. It should be understood that theprocessor 140, memory 142, storage 144, the inputs 82, and the outputs84 may be entirely contained within the housing 50 or the housing-donglecombination. The processor 140 may process instructions for executionwithin the computing device, including instructions stored in the memory142 or in storage 144. The memory 142 stores information within thecomputing device. In one implementation, the memory 142 is a volatilememory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory 142 is anon-volatile memory unit or units. Storage 144 provides capacity that iscapable of providing mass storage for the set-top box 12. Various inputs82 and outputs 84 provide connections to and from the computing device,wherein the inputs 82 are the signals or data received by the set-topbox 12, and the outputs 84 are the signals or data sent from the set-topbox 12.

A television content signal input 148 and a television output 150 arealso secured in the housing 50 in order to receive content from a sourcein the hospitality property and forward the content, including externalcontent such as cable and satellite and pay-per-view (PPV) programming,to the television located within the hotel room.

A transceiver 152 is associated with the set-top box 12 andcommunicatively disposed with the bus 146. As shown the transceiver 152may be internal, external, or a combination thereof to the housing 50.Further, the transceiver 152 may be a transmitter/receiver, receiver, oran antenna for example. Communication between various amenities in thehotel room and the set-top box 12 may be enabled by a variety ofwireless methodologies employed by the transceiver 152, including802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC),Bluetooth low energy and Bluetooth, for example. Also, infrared (IR) maybe utilized.

The memory 142 and storage 144 are accessible to the processor 140 andinclude processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor 140 to execute a series of operations. Theprocessor-executable instructions specify a search operation to identifythe proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, 32wherein the search operation utilizes the wireless transceiver towirelessly identify the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 32. The processor-executable instructions thenestablish a pairing between the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 32 and the set-top box 12. Following theestablishment of a pairing, formatted parallel audiovisual experienceinstructions may be sent to the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 32. The formatted parallel audiovisual experienceinstructions are configured to provide a downstream parallel experiencerelated to the content on the television 14. The memory 142 alsoprovides instructions to the processor for virtual buttons on a touchscreen display associated with the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 32. The virtual buttons are associatedwith the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32.

With respect to controlling the television 14, the processor-executableinstructions cause the processor to receive and process virtual remotecontrol functionality input instructions from the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32. Thereafter, acontrol signal is generated from the processor-executable instructionsutilizing instructions to adjust the brightness of the television. Then,the control signal is sent to the television 14. A configuration profileis associated with the memory 142 and processor-executable instructionsthat enables the set-top box 12 to control multiple types oftelevisions, including the television 14.

With respect to importing content from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 32, the memory 142 includesprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed cause theprocessor 140 to import content from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 32 and reformat the imported contentsuch that the television output forwards a fully tuned signal includingthe imported content to the television 14. The fully tuned signalincludes the imported content provides an upstream parallel experienceon the television 14 related to the content on the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32. The importedcontent may be audio and/or audio and visual.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a brightness menu 160 provided by the set-topbox 12 to the proximate wireless-enabled programmable interactive device32 and/or the television 14. As illustrated, a brightness bar 162enables manual adjustment of the dimness or brightness by the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32 or remote control34. Further, several different exemplary modes of operation aredisplayed, including an “Auto-brightness” mode controllable by menu 164,a “Sleep Well” mode controllable by menu 166, a “Music Bluetooth” modecontrollable by menu 168, and a “Music Channel” mode controllable bymenu 170.

In the “Auto-brightness” mode, the set-top box 12 selects theappropriate brightness based on program type. By way of example and notby way of limitation, a sports program and a movie may have differentsettings for brightness. In the “Sleep Well” mode, a relaxingprogramming may be displayed on the television with music with thebrightness of the relaxing programming on the television being dimmed.Similarly, in the Music Bluetooth mode, wherein music is streamed fromthe proximate wireless-enabled programmable interactive device, or inthe Music Channel mode, wherein music is provided from an outsidesource, any imagery on the television is dimmed during the playing ofthe music.

Referring to FIG. 5, the present disclosure provides a televisiondimming system and a television dimming method enabled by the set-topbox 12. As shown, the set-top box 12 includes a configuration profile180 that, as mentioned, enables the set-top box to control differenttypes of televisions. By way of example and not by way of limitation,the exemplary television 14 may include a motherboard 182 coupled to acontrol board 184, which is connected to each of a power board 186 and aconverter 188. As shown, the power board is connected to the converter188, which in turn is connected to a light bar 190. In oneimplementation, a television control interface 192 is connected to themotherboard 182. In one embodiment, the television control interface 192may be a self-diagnosis interface. Further, the self-diagnosis interfacemay be selected from RJ25 ports, RS232 ports, RS422 ports, RS485 ports,multiple protocol interfaces (MPIs), and multiple television interfaces(MTIs), for example. As depicted, the television control interface 192includes an RS232 standard DB-25 connection for the serial communicationtransmission of data. Such a connection formally defines the signalsconnecting between a DTE (data terminal equipment) such as a computerterminal, and a DCE (data circuit-terminating equipment, originallydefined as data communication equipment. In this instance, the DTE andDCE refer to the television 14, which may be a commercial television,and the set-top box 12.

More specifically, in this example, the motherboard 182 receives acontrol signal to adjust the brightness and, in particular, dim thetelevision via the television control interface 192 from the set-top box12. The set-top box 12 utilizes the configuration profile 180 to formatthe control signal based on the type of television appropriate fortelevision 14. Then, the control board 184 sends a television signal tothe power board 186 and the light bar load, which is represented by theconverter 188 and the light bar 190.

As shown, the converter 188 is coupled to an output end of the controlboard 184, and the control board 184 sends the television signal to theconverter 188 when the control board 184 feeds back the televisionsignal to the power board 186. The converter 188 adjusts the light bar190 after the converter 188 receives the television signal sent by thecontrol board 184, then the converter 188 feeds back an adjusted dimmingsignal to the power board 186. As the control board 184 is directlycoupled to the power board 186, the control board 184 feeds back thetelevision signal to the power board 186 when the control board 184outputs the television signal. Thus, the power board 186 can receive thetelevision signal sent by the control board 184 in advance, and adjustthe output of the power board 186 in advance and an output voltagerequired by the light bar 190 without waiting to receive the dimmingsignal feedback by the converter 188 and then adjust the output of thepower board 186 accordingly to ensure dimming of the television or, inanother embodiment, brightening of the television. It should beappreciated that although a particular architecture of the television 14is displayed and illustrated, other architectures and types oftelevisions are within the teachings presented herein.

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a method for providing a remote controldevice, according to the teachings presented herein, with the ability toadjust the brightness of a television. At block 200, the programmabledevice is configured to provide a parallel audiovisual experience. Inone implementation, this may involve using an existing application onthe programmable device, such as a browser, or downloading a newapplication. At block 202, a search, which may be active or passive, isperformed by the set-top box to identify a physically proximateprogrammable device in the multi-room environment. At block 204, apairing is established prior to a scalable parallel audiovisualexperience being provided at block 206 on the touch screen display ofthe programmable device. In one implementation, the audiovisualexperience is parallel to the television experience being provided bythe set-top box. As noted by block 206, this experience may includeproviding virtual buttons integrated within the audiovisual experienceor two or more panels within the touch screen display showing thetelevision experience and one or more virtual remote controls. Further,the scalable parallel audiovisual experience may include providingcontent, including audio content or audiovisual content, from theprogrammable device to the set-top box and thereafter to the television.

Referring to decision block 208, as previously discussed, the brightnessor dimness of the television may be adjusted by a program in the set-topbox, by use of a remote control or as part of a programmable deviceexperience. With respect to a program in the set-top box, at block 210,based on a pre-programmed setting, a control signal is generated toadjust the brightness on the television. The pre-programmed setting maybe programmed to dim the television during the aforementioned “SleepMode,” “Music Bluetooth,” “or “Music Channel,” by way of example, andthen brighten the television during the completion of the aforementioned“Sleep Mode,” “Music Bluetooth,” “or “Music Channel,” by way of example.At block 212, the control signal is sent to the television and then thebrightness of the television is appropriately adjusted in accordancewith the control signal.

With respect to the remote control, at block 214, a command may bereceived from remote control at the set-top box providing commandinstructions to adjust the brightness of the television. Thereafter, atblocks 216 then 218, an appropriate control signal is generated at theset-top box and the sent to the television. It should be appreciatedthat the dimming may be reduced to substantial darkness or theequivalent of OFF on the television. Further in another embodiment, thevisual signal on the television may be turned OFF while the audio signalremains on.

Returning now to decision block 208 and, specifically, the importationof content from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice, at block 220, instructions are provided from the set-top box forvirtual buttons on a touch screen display associated with the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device. The virtual buttonsare associated with the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device and relate to obtaining user input for theprogrammable device experience functionality provided by the set-top boxand, in this example, functionality relative to adjusting thebrightness. At block 222, the set-top box receives command instructionsfrom the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device.Thereafter, at blocks 224 then 226, an appropriate control signal isgenerated at the set-top box and the sent to the television.

The order of execution or performance of the methods and data flowsillustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwisespecified. That is, elements of the methods and data flows may beperformed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methodsmay include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. Forexample, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particularelement before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are allpossible sequences of execution.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of theillustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention,will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thedescription. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claimsencompass any such modifications or embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A set-top box comprising: a housing securing atelevision input, a television output, a processor, memory, and storagetherein; a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting thetelevision input, the television output, the processor, the memory, andthe storage; a wireless transceiver associated with the housing andcoupled to the busing architecture, the wireless transceiver operable tocommunicate with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice; the television input configured to receive a source signal froman external source; the television output configured to forward a fullytuned signal to a television; the memory accessible to the processor,the memory including processor-executable instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to: specify a search operation to identifythe proximate wireless-enabled interactive device, wherein the searchoperation utilizes the wireless transceiver to wirelessly identify theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, establish apairing between the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice and the set-top box, send formatted parallel audiovisualexperience instructions to the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device, wherein the formatted parallel audiovisualexperience instructions are configured to provide a downstream parallelexperience related to the content on the television, receive and processvirtual remote control functionality input instructions from theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device relative toproviding an audio source from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device, generate an audio input signal, providethe audio input signal to the television, generate a control signal thatincludes instructions to adjust the brightness of the television, andsend the control signal to the television.
 2. The set-top box as recitedin claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a housing-donglecombination securing the television input, the television output, theprocessor, memory, storage, and wireless transceiver therewith.
 3. Theset-top box as recited in claim 2, wherein the processor and the memoryare distributed through the housing-dongle combination.
 4. The set-topbox as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver isconfigured to communicate with the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device via a standard selected from the groupconsisting of infrared (IR), 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, ZigBee, nearfield communications (NFC), and Bluetooth.
 5. The set-top box as recitedin claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured tocommunicate with the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice via a short distance data exchange standard.
 6. The set-top boxas recited in claim 5, wherein the short distance data exchange standardcomprises Bluetooth.
 7. The set-top box as recited in claim 1, whereinthe transceiver is at least partially internal to the housing.
 8. Theset-top box as recited in claim 1, wherein the transceiver is at leastpartially external to the housing.
 9. The set-top box as recited inclaim 1, wherein the transceiver comprises an antenna.
 10. The set-topbox as recited in claim 1, wherein the the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device comprises a device selected from thegroup consisting of personal computers, laptops, tablet computers, smartphones, and smart watches.
 11. The set-top box as recited in claim 1,wherein the control signal is provided to the television via atelevision control interface.
 12. The set-top box as recited in claim 1,further comprising a configuration profile associated with the memoryand processor-executable instructions that enables the set-top box tocontrol a plurality of types of televisions.
 13. The set-top box asrecited in claim 1, wherein the memory includes processor-executableinstructions that, when executed cause the processor to: receive andprocess virtual remote control functionality input instructions from theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device relative toproviding an audiovisual source from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device; generate an audiovisual input signal;and provide the audiovisual input signal to the television.
 14. Theset-top box as recited in claim 1, wherein the control signal thatincludes instructions to adjust the brightness of the television dimsthe television.
 15. A set-top box comprising: a housing securing atelevision input, a television output, a processor, memory, and storagetherein; a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting thetelevision input, the television output, the processor, the memory, andthe storage; a wireless transceiver associated with the housing andcoupled to the busing architecture, the wireless transceiver operable tocommunicate with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice; the television input configured to receive a source signal froman external source; the television output configured to forward a fullytuned signal to a television; the memory accessible to the processor,the memory including processor-executable instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to: specify a search operation to identifythe proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, whereinthe search operation utilizes the wireless transceiver to wirelesslyidentify the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,establish a pairing between the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device and the set-top box, provide instructions forvirtual buttons on a touch screen display associated with the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device, the virtual buttonsbeing associated with the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device, receive and process virtual remote controlfunctionality input instructions from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device, evaluate the virtual remote controlfunctionality input instructions, import content from the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device and reformat theimported content such that the television output forwards a fully tunedsignal including the imported content to the television, generate acontrol signal that includes instructions to adjust the brightness ofthe television, and send the control signal to the television; andwherein the fully tuned signal including the imported content providesan upstream parallel experience on the television related to the contenton the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device. 16.The set-top box as recited in claim 15, wherein the housing furthercomprises a housing-dongle combination securing the television input,the television output, the processor, memory, storage, and wirelesstransceiver therewith.
 17. The set-top box as recited in claim 15,wherein the the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice comprises a device selected from the group consisting of personalcomputers, laptops, tablet computers, smart phones, and smart watches.18. The set-top box as recited in claim 15, wherein the control signalthat includes instructions to adjust the brightness of the televisiondims the television.
 19. A set-top box comprising: a housing securing atelevision input, a television output, a processor, memory, and storagetherein; a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting thetelevision input, the television output, the processor, the memory, andthe storage; a wireless transceiver associated with the housing andcoupled to the busing architecture, the wireless transceiver operable tocommunicate with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice; the television input configured to receive a source signal froman external source; the television output configured to forward a fullytuned signal to a television; the memory accessible to the processor,the memory including processor-executable instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to: specify a search operation to identifythe proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, whereinthe search operation utilizes the wireless transceiver to wirelesslyidentify the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,establish a pairing between the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device and the set-top box, provide instructions forvirtual buttons on a touch screen display associated with the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device, the virtual buttonsbeing associated with the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device, receive and process virtual remote controlfunctionality input instructions from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device, evaluate the virtual remote controlfunctionality input instructions, import content from the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device and reformat theimported content such that the television output forwards a fully tunedsignal including the imported content to the television, based on aconfiguration profile, generate a control signal that includesinstructions to adjust the brightness of the television by dimming thetelevision, and send the control signal to the television; theconfiguration profile being associated with the memory andprocessor-executable instructions that enables the set-top box tocontrol a plurality of types of televisions; and wherein the fully tunedsignal including the imported content provides an upstream parallelexperience on the television related to the content on the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device.
 20. The set-top box asrecited in claim 19, wherein the housing further comprises ahousing-dongle combination securing the television input, the televisionoutput, the processor, memory, storage, and wireless transceivertherewith.